The days are finally getting longer and how better to spend those bonus daylight hours than exploring a brewery, sipping beers in their natural habitat and learning the ins and outs of how those crafty drops were made? Up in The Hills district, award-winning beer makers at the Australian Brewery are kick-starting spring with a new series of twilight brewery tours, happening Thursday through Saturday evenings each week. Participants will find themselves diving deep into the world of beer, at these interactive $25 sessions led by experts from the brewing team. Learn all about the brewing process and beer's history, discover the Australian Brewery's own back-story, and touch and whiff the fresh ingredients that make it into a brew. Punters will round out the fun by kicking back with a tasting paddle, featuring a lineup of core beers and seasonal releases. Head in now and you might get to sample recent smash hits, such as the brew fittingly dubbed 'If You Like Pina Colada'. The Australian Brewery's Twilight Brewery Tours start on Thursday, September 27 and run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6pm.
Like many a great alcohol brand has before it, The Bondi Brewing Co started its life in a humble garage. Originally part of the Ben Buckler Brewery in North Bondi, this beer began as a labour of love, too. That was a few years back — and, since unveiling its flagship release in 2018, this brewery has kept its focus firmly local. The Bondi Brewing Co only has three regular brews on its roster; when you're making craft beer in one of the most picturesque places there is, you don't need too many drinking options to choose from. Bondi's draught lager has quickly become a favourite, but it also does a nifty IPA and XPA as well if you'd rather an ale. As well as selling its brews via its online store, The Bondi Brewing Co also has its own line of bar mats, shirts, hoodies and caps. Or, sip your beer in a 425-millilitre Bondi schooner. Top image: Alec Mason
The importance of identity is once again the leitmotif in Doug Liman's (The Bourne Identity) new political thriller. Based on the scandalous true story of CIA agent Valerie Plame's brutal public unmasking, and the subsequent White House lead smear campaign, Fair Game is as much an illuminating look back to the beginnings of the Iraq War as it is a chronicle of a marriage under fire. Plame's titular memoir as well as her husband Joseph Wilson book The Politics of Truth, provide the provocative source material, and both are brought to compelling life by Naomi Watts and Sean Penn. An impressively taut opening introduces us to Valerie the agent: personable, professional and perfectly in charge of her blonde, diminutive stature. We watch as she uses this to her advantage before turning into a cool, commanding operator. With faint echoes of Mr & Mrs Smith, Valerie then returns home to juggle her supremely demanding work in the counter-proliferation department with a warmly affectionate home life with ex-US ambassador Joe and their two kids. This hard won equilibrium is shattered when the CIA-commissioned report Joe has written regarding the possibility of Niger selling enriched uranium to Iraq becomes the vehicle for Valerie's downfall. Fair Game treads similar ground as the other Bourne director, Paul Greengrass', recent treatise on Iraq: Green Zone. Both concern themselves with the manifest lies told to shore up the US invasion, but where Green Zone unravels into a rather disappointing cat and mouse chase, Liman manages a much more satisfying intellectual rigour. This is helped along by the riveting chemistry between Watts and Penn, which is most certainly derived from their previous pairing in 21 Grams and from having already played a husband and wife in strife in Niels Mueller's The Assassination of Richard Nixon. Entirely believable and deeply affecting, their onscreen partnership wrings every drop of conviction out of Jez and John-Henry Butterworth's slightly overwritten screenplay. "Democracy only works if you do your part," Joe preaches in a line one could easily imagine hearing from diehard advocate Penn himself. But the most striking aspect of this film is that it proves that the same must be said for marriage. So while the politics of what constitutes 'fair game' is undoubtedly fascinating, the private sphere proves to be a whole different ballgame. https://youtube.com/watch?v=eU30DFbjirw
This year's Oscar winner for best documentary, Free Solo took viewers into the nerve-wracking world of rock climbing, charting Alex Honnold's epic quest to scale Yosemite's El Capitan without ropes. But he's not the only superstar climber endeavouring to literally rise to great heights — and the film about him wasn't the only rock climbing doco to reach the big screen recently. Last year, another movie called The Dawn Wall started doing the rounds, chronicling another couple of daredevils. Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson are also considered among the globe's best climbers, and their feats are mighty impressive. Now they're coming to Australia to talk about their efforts. On Friday, July 26, the duo will take to the stage at the State Theatre — providing live commentary while The Dawn Wall plays on the big screen, chatting about just why they do what they do, and answering all of your other questions. It's their first time in the country, and they'll talk you through their inspirations, motivations and, again, why they took on the world's hardest rock climb. This goes without saying, especially if you're not fond of heights, but prepare to be both in awe and mighty tense. Image: Brett Lowell.
Bangarra Dance Theatre is returning to the stage with a striking new work — Sandsong: Stories from the Great Sandy Desert — this winter. It's the company's first new production at Sydney Opera House since COVID-19 closures, so it comes with much anticipation. Set in Walmajarri Country, which spans the Great Sandy Desert and Kimberley regions of Western Australia, this powerful performance explores the displacement and survival of First Nations people in this part of Australia, particularly between the 1920–1960s. Artistic Director Stephen Page and Associate Artistic Director Frances Rings have choreographed this breathtaking new work in consultation with Wangkajunga and Walmajarri Elders, reaffirming Bangarra's place as the leading performing arts company for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You can catch Sandsong: Stories from the Great Sandy Desert at the Sydney Opera House from Friday, June 11 to Saturday, July 10. For performance times and to grab tickets to this must-see new work, head here. Images: Daniel Boud
A Taiwanese filmmaker might've made your favourite movie, although you mightn't realise that. A fan of Brokeback Mountain? Loved Life of Pi? Still in awe at Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's action scenes? Thank Ang Lee — but he's just one of many talented directors from Taiwan. To dive into the depths of the rest of Taiwan's filmmaking prowess, Sydney is now home to its first ever Taiwan Film Festival. Between Friday, July 27 and Sunday, July 29, the fest will showcase nine features and four shorts that highlight the stories, styles and stars of Taiwanese cinema — films that, outside of occasional berths at Australia's major fests, don't often make it to our shores. It all kicks off with the emotional Sen Sen, about a boy overcoming loss and a grandmother determined not to let illness hold her back, before serving up everything from award-winning queer dramas and popular horror sequels to murder mysteries and big-screen soap operas. Films to look out for include documentary Black Bear Forest, as set in the mountain ranges around Yu-Shan National Park; Take Me to the Moon, a time-travel rom-com; and closing night's Father to Son, which was produced by iconic Taiwanese director Hsiao-Hsien Hou (The Assassin).
Sydneysiders residing across the bridge no longer have to trek far and wide to enjoy some of the city's finest culinary offerings. Instead, North Sydney residents will soon find three new eateries and a gourmet grocer, all located just a short walk from the new Metro station, on Walker Street. Etymon Projects is behind the precinct, which is set to open around mid-June. "What opening Poetica bar + grill in North Sydney and Loulou in Milsons Point has shown us is that there's a real appetite for more hospitality this side of the bridge," said Lisa Hobbs, CEO of Etymon Projects. "North Sydney has a great buzz to it, and we see this growing especially with the Metro opening later this year." So, what exactly is on offer at this hospitality-focused venture? If you're after contemporary Japanese dining, Genzo has got you covered. The izakaya will hero Japanese wines, raw dishes and kushiyaki (skewers), with the addition of noodles, sake, and balanced cocktails to complete the menu. Plus, its dark interiors are set to star splashes of neon to liven the space. Sol bread + wine will operate as a day-to-night spot — so, as a bakery, a cafe and a wine bar. The precinct's three-in-one locale will sling baked goods and cafe-style sandwiches by morning, then pair top tipples with snack plates by afternoon. For all things artisanal, you'll be heading to Una, a sister location of Loulou in Milsons Point. From charcuterie essentials, fresh pasta and spices to parfait and pate courtesy of its sibling venue, Una will be the one-stop shop for gourmet goods. Plus, it'll even boast an array of wines, gifts and its own homewares range. Rounding out the precinct's upcoming offerings is Soluna, a Los Angeles-inspired all-day diner with an approachable menu of seafood, pasta and grill-style snacks. The venue will centre around casual dining, providing a bar space for post-work drinks, a separate lounge, and a large dining area fit for everything from dinner dates to power lunches and family gatherings. "We see the precinct becoming a lower north shore go-to for fresh, artisan breads and pastries, gourmet deli goods, and dining," said Sebastien Lutaud, the director of culinary at Etymon. North Sydney's new hospitality precinct will open at 168 Walker Street, North Sydney in mid-June 2024 — we'll update you when a specific date is announced.
Since late in 2019, when Disney launched its own streaming platform, fans of its animated classics, beloved hits and many, many super-popular franchises have been able to binge their way through the Mouse House's back catalogue from the comfort of their couch. For a few weeks in October and November, however, movie buffs are being asked to leave their houses to check out a selection of the company's famed titles — all thanks to the new pop-up Disney+ Drive-In that's coming to Sydney. Yes, a streaming service is running a drive-in. Or, to put it another way, a product designed to get everyone watching on small screens at home is now endeavouring to lure viewers out to watch its flicks on a big screen from their cars. That's a very 2020 situation, with Disney+ teaming up with Openair Cinemas to make it happen. The drive-in will arrive in Sydney — at the Northern Private Carpark of Bankwest Stadium, to be specific — on Thursday, October 22, screening films every night (except Tuesdays) until Sunday, November 15. As for what'll be screening, the Disney+ Drive-In is working through the Mouse House's hits, screening single features each night. On the bill: Star Wars flicks The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, plus throwback titles like 10 Things I Hate About You, Mrs Doubtfire, Mighty Ducks and Edward Scissorhands. If you really love your Disney movies, you can also expect live-action and animated versions of Aladdin and The Lion King, as well as sing-along Moana, The Little Mermaid and the first Frozen film. You can croon tunes to The Greatest Showman, too, and watch Pixar's gorgeous Coco. Plus, Marvel fans can look forward to Thor: Ragnarok and Guardians of the Galaxy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue80QwXMRHg Popcorn, snacks and drinks will be available onsite — or you can bring your own. It's strictly a no-alcohol affair, though. And, ticket-wise, you'll be paying per car; however, prices vary depending the number of people in your car. Disney+ Drive-In presented by Openair Cinemas hits Sydney, at the Northern Private Carpark of Bankwest Stadium, on Thursday, October 22 — with its season running until Sunday, November 15.
One of the great things about Gundagai, other than being the famous home of the Dog on the Tuckerbox, is that it's halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. Another: wine, wine and, yes, even more wine. Take the vinos made by Tumblong Hills, for instance. They're crafted by a community of winemakers. And, grape-wise, they benefit from winds from the Snowy Mountains. Operating since 1998, and spread across 202 hectares with a view of the Murrumbidgee River, Tumblong Hills favours European-style drops — and its shiraz particularly stands out. One of its estate wines made only from grapes grown onsite, it features plum, cherry and raspberry tastes, plus those welcome notes of French oak. If you're in the area, Tumblong Hills hosts wine tastings — but only by appointment. Otherwise, you can check out its range online.
For over 70 years, the Peter Pan Op Shop Market has presented one of Sydney's biggest vintage and second-hand clothing sales. Still not enough incentive to get you there? Well, all proceeds from your shopping trip will go to Barnardos Australia, a charity helping Australian kids at risk or suffering the effects of child abuse and neglect. So feel free to shop and shop some more, guilt-free. This year the Peter Pan Op Shop will host a winter sale from May 28-30 (Wed - Thu 9.30am - 3pm, Friday 9.30am – 1pm) at Paddington Town Hall. And local fave Sass & Bide have once again donated boxes of swoon-worthy fashion from their latest collections.
The American South is an enthralling place. It's where cotton grows high, gentlemen drink whiskey, women wear crisp white gingham dresses and you're as likely to come across a gun-toting lunatic as to be serenaded by a lonesome trucker of a night time. And it's from a place like this that Lambchop hails. A loose collective centred around the vocalist and and creative centre-point, Kurt Wagner - the kind of man who wears a trucker cap in an entirely non-ironic way - Lambchop have been creating music for well over twenty years. While they started off being associated with the alt-country scene, Lambchop's range is wide and just as easily covers genres as diverse as soul, post-rock, jazz and the odd cocktail-bar croon. With lyrics both ambiguous and haunting, the band has developed a cult following over the years, making them a highly welcome addition to this year's Sydney Festival line-up. And not only is Wagner appearing on-stage with Lambchop, but he will also be performing a solo show as well as part of the old-school country duo, Kort, alongside Cortney Tidwell Lambchop's performance at City Recital Hall will be a collection of songs collected from the deep vault of their back-catalogue as well as new material from their up-coming album, Mr M.
5 Lands Walk is a unique event that invites visitors on a 10-kilometre physical, spiritual, and cultural journey along the Central Coast. This free, day-long celebration on Sunday, June 22 is a collaboration between the communities of Darkinjung Country and the wider local community, offering opportunities to connect through walking, experiencing Aboriginal culture, live entertainment, art installations and more. The event aims to foster connections between people and place and welcomes families, friends, and visitors to celebrate life, creativity, and the region's storied Aboriginal heritage. Timed to coincide with the annual whale migration, a significant token of the Darkinjung people, 5 Lands Walk begins with an opening ceremony the night before. Participants can journey at their own pace, exploring the stunning coastline and sampling the diverse cultural offerings, including creative sculpture installations, performing artists and marine wildlife talks. And while the full route is 10 kilometres, walkers don't have to complete the entire distance — they can drive between land or take the free shuttle. 5 Lands Walk takes place on Sunday, June 22 on MacMasters Beach, Copacabana, Avoca Beach, North Avoca and Terrigal. For more information, visit the website.
Casula Powerhouse is gearing up for not one, not two, but three stellar exhibitions opening this month. They all kick off on Launch Day on July 22 amidst food, wine and dogs. In other words, all the good things. Near x Far in Switch Gallery (on until September 17) is the first of the offerings, presenting explorations of space and dwelling — from homes to natural landscapes to the metaphysical world — by artists Rebecca Gallo, Matthew James, David Kirkpatrick and Anna Kuroda, Shireen Taweel, Grace Toiava, Hannah Toohey, and Vaughan and Vincent Wozniak-O'Connor. The artists use sound, performance, sculpture, light, photography and pattern making to investigate how space is mapped, marked and remembered. Inland Drive in the Theatre Foyer Gallery showcases Western Sydney-based Gary Smith, whose artworks reflect upon memories of commuting on the inner west and south west lines through Liverpool and Campbelltown. Smith uses continuous-line drawing technique in conjunction with brightly coloured acrylic and watercolour paints to map out (from an imagined, drone-like aerial perspective) the urban landscape he grew up in, where carparks and shopping centres have replaced paddocks in a steady urban sprawl. You can check it out until August 10. Last but not least, dog lovers shouldn't miss Every Dog Will Have Its Day (also closing September 17) — a playful show in which ten contemporary artists including Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, David Capra and Anastasia Klose explore the enduring bond between humans and their dogs — plus the varied purposes dogs have fulfilled over history (workers, protectors, faithful companions). Emerging curators Sophia Cai and Kathleen Linn oversee this show ranging across sculpture, video, drawing, painting and performance. Go on, make a day of it. Image: Gary Smith, 'Grid Locked' (2016).
We know. We've all done it. Home alone with a block of cheddar, a few scraps of brie and a lone Kraft Single. It all seemed so promising. When your mum/housemate/significant other returned, though, the truth became apparent. You'd made a cheese quagmire in your microwave, hadn't you? Hadn't you. Fortunately, the guys behind PappaRich, the ST Group, have been helping us realise all of our cheese dreams without the weird kitchen smell three weeks later — bringing Malaysian chain Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart to Australia. With multiple stores in Kuala Lumpur and other areas of the country, the cheese tart connoisseurs currently have five across Victoria, one in Sydney's World Square. Now, they're opening two more Sydney stores, launching one within Macquarie Centre on June 16 and a Burwood store inside Westfield opening Saturday, July 8. Their namesake is the cornerstone of their offering: a savoury-sweet three-cheese situation encased in a shortcrust shell, designed to be eaten either hot or cold. The cheese, while made with local produce, is based on the distinct taste and texture of the dairy products of Hokkaido. The Japanese island is known for their dairy — it produces half of Japan's total milk and a huge 90 percent of their natural cheese — and HBCT have worked tirelessly to replicate it. Malaysia has gone nuts for it, and Australia has jumped firmly on board —people have been queuing out the door to get their hands on one (or 12).
They say the key to a happy life is living a healthy one. Everything in moderation — from walks along the beach to pumping some iron in the gym and making sure you balance your indulgent snacks with nutritious meals. So, if more fitness is on your to-do list, join the club. And we mean literally. We're giving away a ClassPass voucher — which will let you access a range of classes across the city — plus some tasty protein bars to keep you well-fuelled. Because who said being healthy had to be boring? We've teamed up with protein bar brand FULFIL to wrangle a top-notch prize that'll help you achieve a more go-getter lifestyle. First up, you'll get $100-worth of fitness classes — think boxing, pilates, cycling, run clubs, rock climbing, yoga by the sea, high intensity interval training, and whatever else tickles your fancy. Who knows, you may find your new go-to exercise class that's also a bunch of fun. Now, everyone knows that all the exercise in the world won't do you much good without the right nutrition. So next up, you'll also be getting a month's supply of FULFIL protein bars. Each of these goodies comes packed with 20g of protein and eight kinds of vitamins, yet not much sugar at all. They come in four tasty flavours, including white chocolate and cookie dough; peanut and caramel; cookies and cream; and milk chocolate and mint. If you're keen to be in the running, enter below. [competition]758251[/competition]
In Cabinet, the lovely people from Underbelly Arts, best known for their biennial Arts Lab and Festival, bring you things to treat your eyes, ears, and dancing shoes. A night of music, art, and performance from a collection of Sydney's emerging creative folk, Cabinet is incredible value for money at just $10 on the door. This instalment will kick off at 4pm with a possibly world-first session of Drone Yoga, with drone coming courtesy of members of Collarbones and the Paper Scissors. Once you've limbered up, there'll be Snake the Planet!, a large-scale version of the game that once enraptured us on Nokias; Harry Crawford Is Uncertain, the latest work from Penguin Plays Rough's Pip Smith; experimental electronic artist James Domeyko's take on Orpheus and Eurydice; and Adriano Cappelletta's take on the self-help seminar.
Last September, John Malkovich took time off from being John Malkovich to be Everyone Else for a change. Shot by Sandro Miller in Los Angeles, the highly publicised series of photographs dubbed Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich recreated some of the most iconic portraits in recent history — from John and Yoko to Che Guevara, Dorothea Lange's Migrant Woman to Andres Serrano's Piss Christ. And now the series is coming to Sydney as part of this year's Head On Photo Festival (running May 1 - 31), showing at Darlinghurst's Black Eye Gallery from April 28 - May 5. According to the exhibition statement, Miller decided to undertake the project in 2013, wanting to honour the photographers whose work had inspired him and shaped his career. After selecting thirty five images to recreate, Miller got in touch with his ol' mate Malkovich — who apparently immediately agreed. "John is the most brilliant, prolific person I know," says Miller. "His genius is unparalleled. I can suggest a mood or an idea and within moments, he literally morphs into the character right in front of my eyes." All at once creepy and genius with Malkovich rocking an excellent Marilyn and a spot-on Dali, the series is actually less about Malkovich than it is an homage to the photographers responsible for the portraits themselves: Dianne Arbus, Annie Leibovitz, Art Shay, Dorothea Lange, Alberto Korda. That being said, it's supremely satisfying to see Malkovich in dress-up like this — his Jack Nicholson and Albert Einstein are top notch. Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich is part of the Head On Photo Festival. For the whole program, head to the festival website.
Creativity never dies. In its eighth year, HIDDEN will showcase over forty sculptures installed all over the historic Rookwood Cemetery. The exhibition features artists from all over the country and overseas, including Japan. Tasked with celebrating history, culture, remembrance, and love, each artist has contributed to this outdoor sculpture walk that hides creativity amongst gardens and graves. The exhibition will be launched with some music and refreshments at a garden party on Saturday, September 24. On Saturday, October 1, join in activities at the photography workshop and learn how to experiment with lighting and special effects, then unleash your skills on the cemetery and capture some spirit photos. Then on Sunday, October 9, come along in the afternoon and meet the artists behind some of your favourite works. There will also be some free tours during the exhibition led by HIDDEN curator Cassandra Lawrie.
Gone are the days when every image that flickered across the screen did so within an almost square-shaped frame. That time has long passed, in fact, with widescreen formats replacing the 1.375:1 Academy aspect ratio that once was standard in cinemas, and its 4:3 television counterpart. So, when a director today fits their visuals into a much tighter space than the now-expansive norm, it's an intentional choice. They're not just nodding to the past, even if their film takes place in times gone by. With First Cow, for instance, Kelly Reichardt unfurls a story set in 19th-century America, but she's also honing her audience's focus. The Meek's Cutoff, Night Moves and Certain Women filmmaker wants those guiding their eyeballs towards this exquisite movie to truly survey everything that it peers at. She wants them to see its central characters — chef Otis 'Cookie' Figowitz (John Magaro, Overlord) and Chinese entrepreneur King-Lu (Orion Lee, Zack Snyder's Justice League) — and to realise that neither are ever afforded such attention by the others in their fictional midst. Thoughtfully exploring the existence of figures on the margins has long been Reichardt's remit, as River of Grass, Old Joy and Wendy and Lucy have shown as well, but she forces First Cow's viewers to be more than just passive observers in this process. There's much to take in throughout this magnificently told tale, which heads to Oregon as most of Reichardt's movies have. There's plenty to glean from its patient static shots of the river and scrubby landscape circa 1820, and from the way that the director's three-time cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt shoots its leafy setting as a place of light and shadow. Most telling, though, is how First Cow constantly views Cookie and King-Lu within their surroundings. Sometimes, the outcast pair actively tries to blend in, but the film makes it clear that they're already consistently overlooked in the local fur-trapper community. Equally pivotal is the frequent use of frames within the feature's already-restricted imagery — sometimes via windows and doorways, as Certain Women did as well, or by peeking through the gaps in slats in the makeshift shack the pair decide to call home. Again and again, First Cow stresses that genuinely seeing these men, their lives, and their hopes, desires and attempts to chase the American dream, is an act of bearing witness to the smallest of details, delights, exchanges, glances and moments. Initially, after watching an industrial barge power down a river, First Cow follows a woman (Alia Shawkat, Search Party) and her dog as they discover a couple of skeletons nearby. Then, jumping back two centuries and seeing another boat on the same waterway, it meets Cookie as he's searching for food. Whatever he finds, or doesn't, the fur-trapper team he works with never has a kind word to spare. But then Cookie stumbles across King-Lu one night, helps him evade the Russians on his tail, and the seeds of friendship are sown. When the duo next crosses paths, they spend an alcohol-addled night sharing their respective ideas for the future. Those ambitious visions get a helping hand after the Chief Factor (Toby Jones, Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom) ships in the region's highly coveted first cow, with Cookie and King-Lu secretly milking the animal in the dark of night, then using the stolen liquid to make highly sought-after — and highly profitable — oily cakes. In its own quiet, closely observed, deeply affectionate and warm-hearted fashion, First Cow is a heist film. Reichardt's gentle and insightful spin on the usually slick and twist-filled genre bucks every convention there is, however. Tension is a regular part of Cookie and King-Lu's lives; they're introduced being denigrated and chased, after all. So, while the pair tests their luck during their surreptitious moonlight rendezvous with the titular bovine, the film's sense of strain only increases slightly. Here, the act of pilfering isn't the main attraction. Those midnight scenes are gorgeous — Cookie chats tenderly to the cow as he squeezes her udders, offering his condolences about the mate and calf that didn't survive the journey — but they're also brief. Reichardt is far more interested in the change that Cookie and King-Lu bring out in each other, their connection as kindred spirits in an inhospitable locale and their small-scale quest to subvert the status quo. With sensitivity and compassion, but also with an unflinching awareness of how the world regards those on its fringes, First Cow examines the home and hope that one person can find in another, too, and interrogates the ways in which America's embrace of capitalism can inspire, lift and crush as well. Bold plans, delicate subterfuge, big successes, fraught chases and sublime snatches of tranquility — all five play out in Reichardt's richly detailed and hauntingly soulful movie. Indeed, only she could've made this film sing as stirringly and bittersweetly as it does, and feel as transporting and resonant as it proves at every turn. Reichardt adapts Jonathan Raymond's novel The Half Life, co-scripting with the writer himself in their fifth collaboration. She's gifted with mesmerisingly soulful performances from Magaro and Lee, who play their parts so vividly and intricately that ten pictures about Cookie and King-Lu wouldn't be enough. But the empathy that seeps into each second is firmly one of the filmmakers's enduring and welcome hallmarks, as is the unwavering commitment to trading in the everyday and the intimate while excavating the perennial myth about the US being the land of opportunity. Reichardt's approach isn't unparalleled, though. Fellow directors Chloé Zhao and Debra Granik have splashed many of the same traits throughout their work, and have also helmed masterpieces as a result; see: Nomadland and The Rider in the former's case, and Leave No Trace and Winter's Bone in the latter's. The three share not just a willingness but an eagerness to chronicle narratives that would otherwise be overlooked, traverse more than the usual patches of land, champion oft-ignored perspectives, and challenge America's values and self-image — and they each make their films feel like their own. With First Cow, Reichardt is leisurely and loving, and also candid and devastating. She ensures that everyone watching her boxed-in frames rides those ebbs and flows, and that they're moved by every moment. Whenever she steps behind the camera, something astonishing always happens, as her filmography just keeps demonstrating — but First Cow is pure cinematic perfection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jWZ6P1rWy4
This post is sponsored by our partners, Sydney Festival. William Onyeabor is perhaps the most mysterious man ever to have fused Afro-funk with space-age jams. After powering through the creation of eight albums over just as many years, he suddenly decided to stop talking — about himself or his music. According to David Byrne's record label Luaka Bop, who Onyeabor is distributed by and who had been trying to piece together a biography of the elusive artist for the better part of the last two years, the Nigerian musician became a born-again Christian and went hush from then on. Onyeabor refuses to give interviews or play on stage from his hefty back catalogue. To get a better idea of the mysterious Onyeabor, particularly through his home of Enugu, interviews with his old production colleagues and the likes of Damon Albarn and the Luaka Bop team, check out the Vice-presented Fantastic Man documentary released in February this year (only 30 minutes and well worth your time). So, why the Onyeabor quest? After the '97 death of Nigerian legend Fela Kuti, Western interest in African-produced disco and funk surged. Luaka Bop's Yale Evelev and Eric Welles Nystrom and music historian Uchenna Ikonne tracked down Onyeabor's phone number. On answer, Onyeabor simply grunted and said, “Why would I want to talk about that? I just want to talk about Jesus.” Then he hung up the phone. New York Times writer Mike Rubin wrote in 2013 that the 'elusive mystery man' “keeps to his palace in Nigeria watching religious TV, while American fans worship from afar." According to old production buds, he’s recording Gospel music nowadays on his ol’ Moog. Oneaybor's music exploded in Nigeria in the '70s and '80s. 'When the Going is Smooth and Good' had constant airplay, and was constantly picked on jukeboxes. But even in Nigeria, everyone was scratching their heads over this chartbuster. "He was all around us, but really nothing was known about him," says music historian Ed Keazor. Caribou has been dropping this tune in sets for years, a track he sees having developed the same repetitive techniques as western dance music at the time. But with music this good, a little mystery isn't going to keep those eight records in a crate. Atomic Bomb! (named for his 1978 album) was devised as a way to recreate the music of the legend in concert, originally featuring the likes of David Byrne, Damon Albarn and the Beastie Boys' Money Mark. It was performed in New York City's Central Park this October with Jamie Lidell, now it's coming to Australia. In what's certain to be one of the hands-down most epic musical events of Sydney Festival, an 18-strong band made up of artists from all over the world are getting together to jam on Onyeabor’s music at the Enmore Theatre. Led by Sinkane, Money Mark, Luke Jenner (The Rapture), Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip) and Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem), Atomic Bomb! The Music of William Onyeabor will feature special guests in the form of Gotye and the legendary Mahotella Queens. Atomic Bomb! The Music of William Onyeabor is happening January 16 and 17, 8pm at Enmore Theatre. Tickets $85/77. By Shannon Connellan and Jasmine Crittenden.
Parklands Food Fest is returning to western Sydney with a lineup of some of the city's best chefs and food trucks. The festival, which is now in its seventh year, will feature MasterChef Australia's Matt Preston, who'll take to the stage to recreate dishes from both his recent and his upcoming cookbooks. As well as the high-profile culinary maestro, there will be over 50 food stalls, serving up everything from Egyptian, Vietnamese and Filipino food to savoury meals, baked treats and desserts. Or, grab something to take home with you at the fresh produce markets, which'll be bigger than ever — complete with an Urban Farms stall where you can taste fresh-grown produce on the spot. Throw in makers' workshops to teach you a new skill or two, plenty of craft beer to wet your whistle and live music as the soundtrack, and you won't be hungry, thirsty or bored. Just mark Saturday, September 8 in your diary, and head on down to Abbotsbury's Lizard Log ampitheatre.
We all know that life’s much better when we eat organic, ride our bicycles and hug trees as often as possible. But it’s not always easy to make it happen. That’s why we love East Side Ride. For one day, we can immerse ourselves in a greener-than-green universe, where every snack is chemical-free and cars are not to be seen. We don’t even have to try. Now in its second incarnation, this year’s event will take place at Centennial Parklands. Those who ride will be treated like royalty, with free valet bike parking; those who yearn for more stillness in their lives will score a free yoga class courtesy of Redfern’s House of Yoga; and those who like their music live and original will get to see three special local acts — roots reggae trio Declan Kelly and the Rising Sun, funk soul powerhouse Tina Harrod Electric and electric harpist Jake Meadows. Meanwhile, a bunch of local chefs will be cooking up an organic storm and cycling fashion labels Cyclette and Monkey See will have some of their latest creations on display. If you want to find out more about cycling safely and efficiently in Sydney, you’ll have a chance to chat about route planning with Try2Wheels. Eastside Radio Station Manager, Tony Smythe, is passionate about the event’s potential to promote cycling awareness. “The more cyclists with greater skills and awareness means increased safety for all road users, less cars on the road and an overall better transport environment for Sydney,” he said.
They set expectation levels fairly high by announcing Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs as first on the bill, but Fuzzy Entertainment have managed to provide plenty more reasons not to get too plastered on New Years Eve with their release of Field Day’s full line-up. Joining Orlando Higginbottom on January 1st will be fellow purveyors of the electro-dance Hot Chip, SBTRKT, Erol Elkan, Mark Ronson and Icona Pop, and if you require something you can sit down to there will be more hangover-friendly tunes from the likes of Django Django and our own Van She. 2013's lineup also shares many acts with Falls Festival and Southbound, with many acts playing all three festivals. You know what this means, right? Field Day's Facebook fans are really really good at deciphering blurry letters. Field Day 2013 lineup: TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUBHOT CHIPSBTRKT (LIVE)MARK RONSON (DJ SET)THE VACCINESDISCLOSURE (LIVE)TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURSDJANGO DJANGOBOOKA SHADE (LIVE)MAYA JANE COLESICONA POP (LIVE)ADRIAN LUXFAKE BLOODEROL ALKANVAN SHEDANNY DAZEAC SLATERBREAKBOT (LIVE)KRAFTY KUTS & A SKILLZDJ NU-MARKARAABMUZIKJAGUAR SKILLSJESSE ROSEHUDSON MOHAWKSCUBACOOLIOTRIPLE J UNEARTHED WINNERAND MANY MANY MORE Field Day takes place on 1st January 2013 in The Domain. General release tickets go on sale Thursday October 25 at Midday on Field Day's website.
Lake Parramatta is a heritage-listed reservoir that has been transformed for lovers of all splashing, swimming and non-motorised water activities. A piece of manmade tranquility only two kilometres from Parramatta CBD, its still, cool waters are surrounded by 73 hectares of bushland and wildlife, which you can explore via walking tracks. Bring your lilo for a lazy afternoon float, or hire a rowboat or paddleboat with mates. When you get peckish, unpack your picnic basket by the water, set up at the barbecue or visit the Lake Parramatta Cafe. You can also take a self-guided tour through the Arrunga Bardo Aboriginal Bush Food Garden. Image: Jeffrey Drewitz, Destination NSW
Running fanatics, assemble – Ultra-Trail Australia is here. The 100km trail running event (yes, you read that correctly) takes place over four days in May in the stunning world heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Featuring an elevation gain of 4,400 metres and a lot of stairs, this one certainly isn't for the faint-hearted. Those not quite up to the 100km event can take part in the 50km race, which follows the second half of the 100-kilometre route through the Kedumba Valley, or the 22-kilometre event which starts at Queen Victoria Hospital and ends at Scenic World. If you're into something short but sweet, try your hand at the Scenic World UTA951, where you'll only have to run for 1.2km, but up the (in)famous Furber Steps. It's all good if your legs feel like jelly at the end – your entry fee includes a ride down the Scenic Railway, the steepest incline railway in the world.
Anyone with a standing desk will tell you that staying seated for extended periods of time is quite possibly the worst thing you can do for your health. Why not kick those standing desk owners to the curb and spend an evening climbing the stalactite at Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym? We reckon rock climbing is definitely at least ten times better for you than standing still all day, which means you can impress your work colleagues with your defined guns and increased bone density, while cashing in on the two-for-one meal deal at nearby Botany View Hotel.
Next weekend, Mardi Gras is rounding out its 40th year with a downright epic finale and nothing's going to rain on its parade. Least of all, some pesky lockout laws. That's right — the NSW Government has agreed to ditch Oxford Street's usual lockout restrictions on March 3, as the famed strip plays host to the annual Mardi Gras Parade and the massive crowds of revellers it pulls. For this one night only, venues in the area will be allowed to let punters through the door beyond the usual 1.30am or 2am cut-off, though they can only serve alcohol according to their usual time restrictions. The law relaxation comes in response to a request by Liberal City of Sydney councillor Christine Forster. She wrote to Premier Gladys Berejiklian saying the move would "be a particularly poignant gesture of reconciliation given the historic passing of Australia's same-sex marriage legislation on 7 December 2017." Via The Daily Telegraph.
Sydney Femme Guild is allowing you to give into your innermost desire this Mardi Gras Festival, with a night of erotic readings. Enjoy the hotness (and hilariousness) of sexy wordsmithery, whether its your own, your friend's, a classic author's or that favourite online slash fic scribe's. Guest femmes are invited to read, sing or slam their own or someone else's smutty words, so even women lacking confidence have an avenue to show off their work. To submit your smut or register your interest in contributing on the night, send an email to femmeguildsydney@gmail.com, or just turn up on the night.
How easily entertained we were as children — dressing up in our finest and having play-pretend tea parties with our dolls and teddies. If you need a break from being an adult — if only for an afternoon — then head to the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney for a high tea that will far exceed the toddler tea parties of yesteryear. Throwing a Barbie High Tea in its lower Lobby Lounge, the Shangri-La will see pastry queen Anna Polyviou (Family Food Fight, MasterChef, Sweet Street cookbooks) take over with an explosion of pink. The executive pastry chef has created a full-on, Barbie-themed tea party, complete with rainbow and bubble gum desserts, decorations galore and all the childhood nostalgia you could ask for. The usual chic surrounds have been transformed into a Barbie world. There'll even be a photo wall of 'Barbie through the years' — the girl's been around a while. For $65 a pop, you'll be munching on fairy bread cake with bubble gum and fruit loops, rainbow trifles, vanilla creme and fruit salad, macarons, apple pastries, rhubarb jelly and cinnamon crumble — all tidily arranged on towers. And it wouldn't be a tea party without butter milk scones with clotted cream and strawberries, naturally. For savoury treats, expect sushi, sausage rolls, egg and lettuce wraps and roast chicken finger sandwiches. Of course, endless pots of tea are part of the deal, plus coffee for those looking for something a little stronger. Running until July 28, Barbie High Tea has three daily sittings — 11am–12.45pm, 1.15–3pm and 3.30–5.15pm — so you can pop in for a cuppa throughout the day. Just try to keep Aqua's 'Barbie Girl' out of your head while you eat your way down memory lane. Barbie High Tea will be available in the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney's lower Lobby Lounge from July 5–28. Sittings are 11am–12.45pm, 1.15–3pm and 3.30–5.15pm every day. Bookings can be made here.
It's no secret that Sydney loves its outdoor markets. Markets in May is giving you even more to enjoy about them. The celebration, which lasts the entire month of May, aims to highlight all the great things about markets — from offering locally sourced food to supporting small businesses. The kick-off is happening with a pop-up at Martin Place that will feature vendors from various markets around the city. The pop-up market promises to be a nice respite from the busyness of the CBD and a chance to discover some the best stalls. Arlingtons, Brasserie Bread, Gwydir Grove olive oil, Inside Out Nutritious Goods, Tarlart Thai, and Pod Cuisine are just a sample of the food stands featured at the launch. Free tastings, here we come. The month-long program will see a variety of special activities at your local market. Talks from farmers, cooking demonstrations, discounts, tours and musical performances are some of the events slated for the inaugural Markets in May.
It was always going to be an intimidating task to adapt the bestselling novel of Japan's most popular contemporary author, Haruki Murakami. Norwegian Wood is one of the most anticipated films showing this year. Directed by Tran Ahn Hung, it's the story of university student Toru Watanabe in 1960s Tokyo. Living a solitary life at university, Watanabe runs into Naoko, the beautiful and broken girlfriend of his best friend who has recently committed suicide. Falling in love with her as she goes into a dizzying downward spiral, he has to grapple with responsibility and the irrational devotion of his own heart, while Midori, the kind of girl who makes him promise to take her to a porn film, a really dirty one, to get her over the death of her father, becomes an increasingly important part of his life. Norwegian Wood is just about my favourite novel. Part of me never wanted a film to be made, but at the same time I wanted the film to match up to the beauty of the novel in my mind. I wanted to love it. And you know what? Norwegian Wood is a spectacularly beautiful film. Some of the shots I wanted to freeze and photograph, frame them and hang them on the wall. The colours, depth of field and structure of each shot evoke perfectly everything that is beautiful in the novel. But there are problems. A lot of the context of the book is lost in the adaptation, so some of the plot seems confusing, and a lot of the cuts between scenes are disorientating. And although the soundtrack was composed by Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead, the music often felt bossy and overly sentimental. The most affective scenes are the ones where there's no music at all — one in particular brought me to tears, and I never, ever, cry in films. So while it might help if you've read the book, you should definitely check out Norwegian Wood as soon as you're able. https://youtube.com/watch?v=tqiYXmpb41I
Last year, Best Coast popped out of the vast collection of bands like Wavves and Vivian Girls riding the wave of '60s surf rock nostalgia and noisy lo-fi, and rose straight to the top of the pile. A lot of that was due to lead singer Bethany Cosentino's lush, relaxed melodies and her charming fixation with her cat. 2010's debut album title Crazy For You pretty much sums up what Best Coast are about: being in and out of love, and the laid back, girlish optimism of the Californian summertime. The girls in their songs drop out of high school, have crazy crushes on bad boys and do little else but get high and lie in the sun. In March, Best Coast, as part of the Golden Plains festival, are bringing their foot-tapping, noisy lo-fi to Australia for the very first time, and playing just one Sydney side show at Oxford Art Factory. Their first Sydney show has been the cause for much excitement. For those lucky enough to have got their tickets quickly enough, Best Coast are bound to be a highlight of the end of the summer, an occasion for dancing barefoot and falling in love a little bit.
Sydneysiders looking to get their culture fix this summer should make tracks to the Sydney Living Museum's Culture Up Late nights, taking place every Thursday till the end of March. The arts and cultural program is taking over three CBD institutions — the Museum of Sydney, Hyde Park Barracks and Justice and Police Museum — each Thursday from 5–8pm and until 9pm at Hyde Park Barracks. And they aren't just staying up late — each is offering half price entry, too. At Museum of Sydney, check out the upcoming installation Narcissus Garden by the internationally lauded artist Yayoi Kusama, which is on display from February 20. Or wander through the temporary exhibition Paradise on Earth (running till March 25) and check out the museum's impressive film and craft activities programs. Entry to Museum of Sydney is just $7.50 for adults with the half-price deal. [caption id="attachment_763830" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Hyde Park Barracks, Brett Boardman[/caption] Over at Hyde Park Barracks, enjoy an immersive, time-bending experience through a self-guided tour for $12 a pop thanks to the discount. Or, if you visit on February 25 or March 11, you can check out its After Dark program instead. Plus, every week there'll be a food truck, pop-up bar and a local DJ spinning tracks. The Justice and Police Museum has heaps on as well — think exhibitions, films and even a Murder in the Museum talk — where you can dive into Sydney's criminal past. Entry to the Justice & Police Museum is also $7.50. Sydney Living Museums' Culture Up Late program is running till Thursday, March 25. For more information, check out the website. Top image: Justice and Police Museum
Hitting December means we’ve officially hit the silly season, which in turn switches on the green light for some serious sweat-soaked partying. Now, you could take the 'pace yourself' route, sticking with sensible diets, 'just the one drink tonight' and 'nothing on a school night' rules. Alternatively, you can just bust right into it, umbrellas in cocktails blazing. We suggest you cross December 1st off your calendar with a bang. Little Hero presents Kamikaze Surf Hoedown, a night of loud music and louder costumes. Turn up in your ‘Surfabilly’ finest (straw hat? Novelty shirt?) and enjoy the live summer twang of bands Richard In Your Mind, Belles Will Ring and Atom Bombs. Plus Spod, Conrad (RIYM), Yo Grito! and Ray (Little Hero) will be hitting the decks throughout the night. With one month of the year left, let’s squeeze every last drop out of it.
Summer is nearly upon us. To celebrate, the good folks at the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel are throwing a festival dedicated to the perfect summertime beverage — cider. Sitting on the Watsons Bay foreshore, this establishment knows a thing or two about hosting chilled summer events, even in spring. Their Cider Festival will feature a large variety of local and imported ciders. Making good use of the fact that cider rhymes with slider, snacks in slider form will be available all day (as will non-rhyming paella, beef brisket reubens and poke bowls). Live music will be plentiful, as will dessert — there'll be a gelato cart on hand for the sweet-toothed. But things get serious when you join the cider trail. The cider trail will travel along Military Road and culminate at the hotel's breezy Beach Club. This is the kind of walking trail we can all firmly get behind. To partake, you'll need a ticket ($30), available from the venue on the day or here. The cost of the ticket includes 15 tasters of cider, which you find at the many stalls, and a whole bottle of whichever's your favourite.
Brave the cold weather this month with a trip to the Hunter Valley. Aside from the excellent vinos you'll be sipping, you'll also get the chance to explore Australia's (and the Southern Hemisphere's) largest display garden — Hunter Valley Gardens. And, this chilly season, the gardens have been transformed into a winter wonderland. Running until Sunday, July 21, Hunter Valley Garden's Snow Time in the Garden is the perfect addition to a weekend getaway to the Hunter. Kidults, you can expect ice skating, a toboggan slide, wintry carnival rides and snowy activities aplenty. And, we're giving you the chance to enjoy it all — and then some — without spending a dime. You and a mate will score a double pass ($68) to Snow Time in the Garden, which includes free access to the outdoor ice skating rink and a 40-metre ice toboggan course. You can also check out the igloo cave and the snow play zone, which will ensure plenty of snowman building, snow angel making and friendly snowball fights. You'll also have unlimited access to the Gardens' four carnival rides, including a 25-metre-high ferris wheel, flying swings, the Venetian carousel and a giant slide. And, when all this snow time gives you a chill, head to the cafe, where you'll be treated to a complimentary lunch. If you're keen to treat your date (or a mate) to a wintry weekend getaway, enter your details below to be in the running. [competition]730680[/competition]
After a sold-out run of shows over summer, Zetland's newest outdoor music nights are returning for autumn. Every second Friday throughout April and May, the folks at 107 Projects and the Sydney Improvised Music Association (SIMA) are filling the stage at the gorgeous Joynton Avenue Creative Centre with with talented local musicians. The program will include jazz guitarist Ben Hauptmann and his siblings Zoe and James on Friday, April 23, vocalist Kate Wadey with her trio on Friday, May 7 and crowd-pleasing horn players Queen Porter Stomp on Friday, May 21. Apart from the tunes, a full bar will serve drinks and nibbles. For the full program and to book, head to the SIMA website. All tickets cost just $15, or a tenner for SIMA members and concession card holders. Images: Ruby Summer Social by Arthur Washington / Joynton Avenue Creative Centre by Rhiannon Hopley Photography
2009 may have begun with confronting news coverage of the Israeli incursion into Gaza, but it shall draw to a close with more heartening images from Palestine. For the second year, the Palestinian Film Festival is shining a light on their widely unknown national cinema. From the first Palestinian animation, to a hip-hop documentary, this year’s varied program shows the depth and breadth of their local talent.Opening with the Cannes selected film The Time That Remains, from celebrated director Elia Suleiman, the festival is also hosting an advanced screening of Amreeka, winner of a FIPRESCI (critics’) Prize in Cannes. This crowd-pleaser from debut director Cherien Dabis tells the tale of an intractable mother who moves from the West Bank to America in search of a better life for her teenage son. Other highlights from this impressive program include Edward Said: The Last Interview, surely a must see for anyone who came across the seminal Orientalism in their university studies. The Heart of Jenin is another intriguing documentary, about the Israeli organ recipients of a Palestinian child donor, shot by Israeli soldiers. Feature film Pomegranates and Myrrh also tackles Israeli/Palestinian relations in a story about land rights, imprisonment and dance that reunites Lemon Tree stars Hiam Abbass and Ali Suliman. Taking place at the Palace Norton Street cinemas, the Palestinian Film Festival is a unique window into the cinematic world of this troubled territory. https://youtube.com/watch?v=IZbSkcrT6EU https://youtube.com/watch?v=WqFz6D38QTE https://youtube.com/watch?v=NgofDQxSGRQ
Is there anything better on a hot summer day than a refreshing beverage? Sippin' on a 7-Eleven Slurpee is a time-honoured tradition for surviving a road trip, beach day or really any day when the mercury skyrockets. So, however your 2019 is going so far, it's time to celebrate all that is good in the world — and by that we mean limited edition Slurpee flavours that'll give you all the nostalgic feels. Slurpee has partnered with the much-loved lollipop brand, Chupa Chups, to release two classic lollipop Slurpee flavours. You can sip the strawberry and cream flavour, or lose your mind with refreshing watermelon. And if you thought the news couldn't get any sweeter, guess again, because they're completely free. Yep, zero dollars for these flavour-filled treats. There's just one small catch — you've only got four hours to hunt these babies down. The limited-edition flavours will be available exclusively from the Broadway store this Saturday, February 23. Get in there quick. 7-Eleven's Free Chupa Chups Slurpees will be available from 12–4pm at 7-Eleven Broadway. One free large Slurpee per customer.
Sydney, we know you love a food pop-up. Right now you're gearing up for the final Burgers by Josh pop-up at The Annandale and Sydney's first fried chicken and wine festival this weekend. And we've got another one for you to add to your list. After a sold out two-day burger and ice cream pop-up last month, Gelato Messina is bringing their own mini food festival, Messina Eats, back for a second edition. And this time it's all about the bao. Messina has teamed up with Melbourne bao geniuses Wonderbao to create a menu as dreamy as the soft, doughy pillows themselves. Along with traditional pork buns, they'll also be steaming their cult gua bao stuffed with pork belly, fried chicken or fried tofu. Because every good bao needs an accompaniment, they'll also be serving up potato gems with kimchi, spam (?) and melted cheese on top with PS Soda to wash it all down. And for dessert? Deep fried ice cream stuffed with egg custard tart and served with mango pudding and passionfruit caramel. Yep. The whole thing will go down over two days on Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30 in the carpark at Messina's Rosebery HQ. They'll be open from noon for lunch and dinner until sold out. The last Messina Eats sold out quickly, but we're told they'll be better equipped this time round. Messina Eats will run from noon until sold out on July 29 and 30. Find more information here.
Pocket City Farms is hosting a new monthly talk series that aims to push the conversation around food sustainability to the next level, all while showcasing local craft beer and food. Farm Chats will unite experts in panel discussions, with a focus on ethical and fair food trade, young farmers, food growth and waste, native foods, plant-based eating and farm-to-table. The series will kick off next Wednesday, February 7 from 6–8pm with a discussion on urban farming and will feature international guest Michael Ableman, founder of Vancouver's Sole Food Street Farms, North America's largest urban farms project. PCF co-founders Emma Bowen and Michael Zagoridis will round out the panel with permaculture expert Nick Ritar (Milkwood) and do-gooder Jon Kingston (Wayside Chapel). March's Farm Chat will focus on women who farm in conjunction with International Women's Day. April will be a discussion on sustainable chefs, with the panel including teams from Three Blue Ducks, Alfie's Kitchen and, of course, Acre Eatery. Farm Chats will run on the first Wednesday of every month at Camperdown Commons. Tickets are $20 a pop and also get you one round of Young Henrys beer, along with vegan snacks provided by Maker Sydney. For future events in the Farm Chats series, check out the Pocket City Farms what's on page.
Some comics like sound. They paint themselves with frantic lines of motion, bombastic shockwaves and large-lettered noises. Others have none of that. They draw out silent scenes trapped at the moment of action, the sound effects left to your ready imagination and all the louder for emerging from such silent tableaus. Hugh Ford's paintings draw on that second tradition. Sound drawn only from their incongruous titles, his images draw out moments of life and near-life fantasy raucous with vibrant visual noise. In his first solo Sydney exhibition in some time, Ford brings his silent cacophony to life in the Ian Dawson Gallery on Oxford Street. The pictures seem incomplete at first. Colours settle along the background of the canvases, highlighting, wandering and embracing the actors of the exhibition. Despite their faceless abstraction, his subjects all shine their fierce and unmistakeable gaze on ambivalently loved dogs, ridden turtles and caught cannonballs. Self-contained, self-assured and surreal, they beg for attention as they look right through you. The images capture frozen moments, and themselves don't seem to hurry to their imminent conclusion. But Ford's exhibition has limited time to it, so hurry in and gaze upon its instants. Image by Hugh Ford
The image of Tibet in the popular imagination often amounts to either the beatific face of the Dalai Lama, or the giant, fierce peaks of the Himalayas feathered with prayer flags. The first ever Tibetan Film & Arts Festival gives Sydneysiders a chance to dig deeper: to explore the diverse creative output of the Tibetan people in the face of political and cultural oppression. The festival kicks off in Sydney at the Opera House this Thursday with a lush music-arts-ideas mash-up in Raga Shambala: For Tibet with Love. Led by traditional musician and vocalist Tenzin Choegyal, whose compositions invoke the fast-disappearing nomadic world of Tibet, the concert promises a fusion of Tibetan song, Indian tabla and Western classical guitar. The music will interact with the images of accomplished Tibetan artist Karma Phuntsok. The second half of the evening will see a change in pace, with a lively debate led by charismatic Tibetan poet and activist Tenzin Tsundue on the topic 'Is Tibet a Lost Cause?'. The films on offer during the festival, many of them Australian premieres, will give audiences the chance to discover the diversity of voices coming from modern Tibet. The documentary Summer Pasture provides an intimate glimpse into the lives of a young family of Tibetan nomads under pressure from rapid modernisation, as government policies force nomads into permanent settlement. Sky Dancer is a portrait of a female teacher in a remote part of Tibet: Khandroma Kunzang Wangmo is both Buddhist master and beloved matriarch, and she also loves to listen to techno in her SUV. Journey of a Dream is about one individual's struggle with faith and politics; the documentary tells the story of a Tibetan refugee and how "heavy metal saved [his] life". The Tibetan Film & Arts Festival promises to be a festival of discovery as well as a creative interrogation of ideas about the nature of freedom, freedom of expression and the cost of silence.
The next Messina Eats event is getting a "cakeover". For one day only, Saturday, September 28, the Messina HQ store in Marrickville is opening its doors for a gelato party, mixed with baked goods to bring a sugary twist. Alisha Henderson and Alice Bennet, two Melbourne-based cake connoisseurs, are gracing the Marrickville store to supply fellow ice cream and cake lovers with their ultimate dream. Their cake slices are inspired by popular Messina gelato flavours. Visitors can indulge in Milk Choc Peanut Fudge, Super Dulce, and more. The store will also be serving gelato sundaes such as the Tirumasuki, which is a generous scoop of Tiramisu gelato sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies and topped with rich coffee frosting. Shadow Baking, Messina's bakery spinoff, will be on deck providing savoury treats, including sandwiches and brekkie pizzas on the day. A pop-up bar will be serving Mango Mimosas, Blood Orange Marmalade Breakfast Sours and Nitro Coffee to help wash down the tasty treats on offerr. Get it while they're cold — this event will only be running from 10am–3pm or until sold out.
'Have I got a story for you?' The uttering of this simple question is simultaneously charged with boundless potential, designed to pique interest and loaded with promise. Will the tale be hilarious, harrowing or just plain entertaining? This year, the Sydney Writers' Festival (the local wordsmith's answer to Glastonbury) has put grandiose, pompous conceptions of what truly great literature means aside to focus on the simple joy that can only be brought forth by a cracking yarn, plain and simple. Whether you're a book club aficionado who knows her Shakespeare from her Tolstoy or just a fan of The Breakfast Club, the dynamic program of events has something to make you lean in with anticipation. "Stories lie at the heart of our lives. We need them to understand ourselves, to understand others and to make sense of the world around us. In 2013 we look at the breadth of storytelling from Australia and around the world," explains Jemma Birrel, who debuts in her role as artistic director this year. Reckon you've heard it all before? Let the festival's astonishing stable of prominent orators, including Molly Ringwald, Naomi Wolf, William Dalrymple, Robert Green, Ruby Wax, Anita Desai, Archie Roach, Edward Rutherford, Hannah Kent, James Wood, Joe Rospars, Karl Ove Knausgaard, Kate Atkinson, Kate Mosse, Michael Sanders and Gillian Meares prove you wrong. These voices of our generation (minus Hannah Horvac of Girls, der) will wax lyrical on everything from the Future of Activism, to What Money Can't Buy and the question on everyone's, um, lips — I'm a Feminist, Can I Vajazzle? In a new addition to this year's program, a series of live storytelling events will see the likes of Claudia Karvan, Brendan Cowell, Jacqueline McKenzie and William McInnes hold court. Topics include personal passions and obsessions as told in 15-minute increments, true stories with the literally loco theme Lost the Plot and the sharing of specially written love letters by authors to their other halves in People of Letters. Gather round children, the Sydney Writers' Festival has a story for you. Can't get through the novella of a program? Check out our picks of the ten best events at the festival. Image via Sydney Writers' Festival.
I never thought I would say this, but there’s a serious issue with the programming and funding of independent theatre. Or at the very least, that’s the depressing conclusion I came to when leaving the performance of SEETHrough at the Malthouse. Through the eyes of two young Australian men — one white, one indigenous — the play fails to decide whether it wants to tell a story of cultural disparity or gender expectations. It follows the two as they grow up to face the world in a small town somewhere presumably in the middle of nowhere. They apparently share a strong bond, which is at breaking point when one character, with distractingly strange facial hair, decides to leave for the big smoke. Cue city lights and confusion. There is a forcibly painful push to explore what it means to be a man, with almost no depth to the monologues or abrupt wrestling scenes. This, combined with clichéd culture contrasts (“I was born an Emu”/“I’m an Aquarius”) sets the pace for a confusing and ultimately clunky show. Between lines about water and blood, the stars, and city lights, the script forces a rather obscure and outdated motif in our face. Over and over again. While it is important to explore ideas of masculinity in theatre, the structure of this show was so convoluted that it was almost impossible to redeem any actual meaning beyond 'It’s hard being a guy in a small town, but sometimes we go to the barber'. What the production lacked was solid direction. As a devised piece, both performers (Gavin Walters and Colin Kinchela) were not given any substance to their performances and the blocking was awkward and static. The language was full of flowery hyperbole that made it difficult to access exactly what the motivation or meaning behind the dialogue was. The stage was drab, and though there were moments of well-designed lighting, the overall production design was underwhelming. I was disappointed by the show, and frustrated that it hadn't had further development. What can only be described as a theatrical hot mess, does not bode well for the rest of the Malthouse’s Helium season. This show is part of Next Wave 2014. For more on the festival, check out our top ten picks.
Despite our country being stereotyped as 'always sunny', us Aussies know it can get pretty cold mid-year. So, if you're currently trying to warm up your toes next to your office heater, dreaming about the return of summer, you're in luck. We've teamed up with travel company Klook to give away a four-night getaway to a tropical oasis: Bali. If you're the lucky winner, you and your partner in crime will be heading off on a short flight headed for Bali's stunning beaches, hot weather and next-level food. As well as flights and four nights of four-star accommodation in Seminyak, Klook — being an activities and tours booking platform — will also organise day trips for you and your bestie, plus airport transfers to and from your hotel and SIM cards. So, all you'll need are your cossies, sunscreen and a good read. It won't be your typical Bintang-fuelled Bali trip, either. The folks at Klook work with local vendors to uncover hidden gems and offer trips to many of the surrounding islands (there are more than 17,000 in total). So, expect plenty of off the beaten track adventures and get ready to unearth some undiscovered parts around the island. One day, the two of you will be heading off to West Nusa Penida and its crystal clear waters, so you can expect plenty of swimming and snorkelling. The next, you'll be trekking up an active volcano — Mount Batur — to watch the sunrise over the island. An early morning start will reward you with sweeping mountain views and a visit to a coffee plantation afterwards. Plus, don't forget all the poolside cocktails and Balinese feasts you'll be having. You'll be on holiday, after all. You've got anytime before the end of the year to go, so you can escape Australia's cooler weather ASAP. If you're keen to head off on a trip to Bali — which obviously you are — enter your details below to be in the running. [competition]731537[/competition]
To be at Jingle Jangle is to be transplanted to a different time and place. Maybe the dimly lit walk through the dingy Spanish restaurant La Campana into Good God Small Club is a portal, as you are removed from any signs of 2010 or of Sydney's vacuum of decent club nights. The music policy is strictly 1920's- 1960's and it's all about well dressed, capable dancers drinking Pimms and lemonade for refreshment before tearing up the dance floor. The gracious hosts Smokey La Beef and Smart Casual usually hold down the decks, inviting special guests to play their selections. This month sees Melbourne Garage/Rhythm and Blues rockers The Frowning Clouds tripping up The Hume to provide a live soundtrack, Owen from Straight Arrows dropping 45's, as well as the resident DJ's. So put on your dancing shoes and get down to the best portal in town.
With brands in store like Missoni, Fornasseti, Kenzo, Paul Smith, Bouvier and Jasper Conran (and many more), Macleay on Manning is interior design with a little va va voom. Curating the shop with Andy Warhol prints on your crockery and eery ghost-like faces engraved into the bottom of your whiskey glass, owners Jill and Rod Ordish have handpicked both local and international designs in furniture, art, jewellery and books, among other homeware treats.
